Fotografo de Bodas, Santiago

April 3, 2009

The Half Marathon is in two days and I’m NERVOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

If anyone has any last minute advice for me I’ll gladly take it. But, I guess I’m as prepared as I’ll ever be. I could have done a better job following the training plan, and I’m regretting that now, seeing as how I only did a long run more like once every other weekend, rather than once a week like I should have. But it’s a little too late for that at this point.

I’m also very curious to see what kinds of people will be running with me. Will it be a ton of foreigners? Will there be a majority of men in the race since Chilean women, in general, aren’t super big on exercising? Will there be Kenyans? WILL I COME IN LAST PLACE????????

So that’s not really a question about the kinds of people who will be running with me, but still, it’s a major concern of mine. Why? Because the results will be published in the freaking Mercurio. So if I end up completing the race in some ridiculously slow time and being the very final person who manages to cross the finish line, you’re all going to know about it.

When I ran 12 miles, everything was peachy. But just two weeks before that I had done 11 and it was total hell. I did nothing different on either one of those days. I was properly hydrated, ate about two hours beforehand, and ran at the same time of day. So it seems to be chance as to whether or not I’m having a good running day. Fingers crossed that I am on race day!!!

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16 Comments

The best advice I was ever given for a run was to start off slow and not to panic if everyone passes you. It’s much better to run in the back and pass people later in the race with all of the energy you didn’t use in the first 2 minutes.

But then I’ve never done a 1/2 M. Way to go! Be sure to let us know how it was after you get a little rest.

Comment by Ordinary Girl — April 3, 2009 @ 9:39 am

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OG, that’s actually one of the things I’m most nervous about. I normally run even my “slow jogs” frantically trying to pass every living thing on the road me, even people on bikes. I kill myself with every run doing that. I mean, it’s good that I train hard, but I’m afraid I’ll try to do that on race day and DIE. I know, you’re saying, “Well then just DON’T do that.” But my brain has issues. I start out and tell myself, “I’m just going to pass one person. After that, I swear I’ll slow down.” And so it goes, one person becomes everybody. It’s like a sick addiction I have. And the worst is when I try to pass someone who’s running like a 6 minute mile, and my body knows I can’t do that, but my brain says, “Just try anyways!”

Comment by Mamacita Chilena — April 3, 2009 @ 9:43 am

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Jane (who has run the London Marathon) gave the same “start slow” advice…I’m not too worried about that one, since slow is my only speed! And don’t worry, you won’t be last, at the worst you will be second-to-last with me limping in behind you.

I think the word “terrified” might give an accurate picture of how I’m feeling about this ridiculous idea of ours.

Comment by Emily — April 3, 2009 @ 11:11 am

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my advice is definitely to wear a watch and run your own race. its ok to compete with others but watch your speed as you do so. your adrenaline will totally help you on race day to make the run better than your 11 mile training run. as far as people, every race ive done here there were a surprising number of good chilean women runners (but also lots of not so good ones, you wont be last! )to keep pace with. have fun with it and good luck!

Comment by emilyta — April 3, 2009 @ 11:32 am

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I don’t have any advice for you, but good luck!!!

Comment by Shannon — April 3, 2009 @ 11:53 am

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My best advice is make sure you eat the kind of breakfast you’re used to eating on a running day. My worst race ever was after I had too much coffee, and my stomach cramped up and I could barely finish. I swear by oatmeal (and maybe a little coffee), but that’s just me.

Also, have fun! Enjoy the people watching, and try to laugh when you can. You’re already a winner, just for signing up and training.

Comment by Kristen — April 3, 2009 @ 12:21 pm

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Buena suerte amiga!!! I’ll be sending you positive energy from North Carolina.

Comment by Andi — April 3, 2009 @ 12:25 pm

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Even if your name is the last one in the Mercurio (which you know it won’t be) think of all of us that will be reading your name while stuffing our face with Sahne Nuss wishing we could run 1K of a 1/2 marathon. My advice- have S find a few Chilean men to strategically place along the route to “cheer” you on and make you mad enough to run faster

Good Luck!!!!

Comment by Cincinnati Chile — April 3, 2009 @ 12:32 pm

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I used to run distance and the pace yourself is def the way to go, especially at the beginning. There is NO WAY you will be the last person. Did you ever check out the last leg of people in prevoius races? I swear some people enter that seem the least probable, like on crutches or pregnant or who knows what, and theres a lot of people that never trained or sprained ancles or underestimated the effort it would take… The good part about pacing yourself is that you pass more people because of all of the ones that didn’t think to do that and later run out of umph.
Do they give freebees here after a race? Thats what always kept me going at the races back in the US hahaa. (i’m so simple minded–SAMPLES!!!!)
good luck!

Comment by lydia — April 3, 2009 @ 1:00 pm

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I can barely run down the street without getting winded so I obviously have no advice to offer. But good luck, Kyle!!! I’ll be rootin’ for ya!

Comment by RenÃ©e — April 3, 2009 @ 1:27 pm

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I don’t think you’ll come in last place. But, I think you could be right about there being lots of foreigners and Chilean men because i see the same woman running everday and we sort of nod at each other in silent support.

Comment by Sara — April 3, 2009 @ 1:29 pm

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Hi Kyle, I don’t mean to sound patronising but I’ve done a few races myself and one full marathon (26,2M/42 KM), and just a few tips:

As I read in one great book, ‘you want to start slowly, and after that you run even slower’. This is not a sprint, this is long distance.

Also, if you did your homework, you shouldn’t be worried. If you have done the right training, you should feel confident. If you didn’t do your proper training, cancel.

I see you have done your preparation, so don’t worry!

If you have an iPod, make sure you get the music right.

Needless to say, have a good pasta dinner the night before, and porridge for breakfast that day.

It is too late now so you just have to rest, so no more training. Running is finished now.

I don’t know why some people hate sports drinks. They are great. Have one, you need them, and an energy bar in your pocket.

Comment by Carlos — April 3, 2009 @ 1:51 pm

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Once you’re in the race it will be so fun and exciting, you won’t have any problem finishing, and you might even surprise yourself with a good time. And remember, it’s just your first, so no pressure! Stick to your pace and let the hoards of Chilean men do their own thing.

Comment by jonnifer — April 3, 2009 @ 2:20 pm

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Good Luck Kyle. I have complete confidence in you.

Comment by Rita — April 3, 2009 @ 9:09 pm

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you are gonna rock the SOCKS off this half marathon. I have total and complete faith in you. I will be mentally cheering you and Emily on. GO GET SOME!!!

Comment by Emita — April 3, 2009 @ 9:27 pm

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GOOD LUCK!!! I play sports all the time but can never motivate myself to run more than 4 miles at a time, I get too bored. So people that run marathons are like Gods to me. My hat goes off to you!!! It doesn’t matter your time, just that you finish (I can feel you rolling your eyes at that comment but it’s true!).

Comment by Petunia — April 3, 2009 @ 10:46 pm

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